Vitamin D has been traditionally considered as a key regulator of bone metabolism, and calcium and phosphorous homeostasis through a negative feedback with the parathyroid hormone(1, 2).
Without it, you can experience hormonal imbalances such as: Estrogen imbalance. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to lower estrogen levels, which can cause depression, hot flashes, mood swings, and much more. Parathyroid hormone imbalance.
Vitamin D Can Help With Multiple Hormonal Imbalances
Adequate levels of Vitamin D in the body is essential to regulating normal body functions, especially those related to hormonal imbalance.
The team found a “positive correlation” between vitamin D and estradiol. In other words, women with lower levels of vitamin D tended also to have lower levels of estradiol, and women with higher levels of vitamin D tended also to have higher levels of estradiol.
Vitamin D is actually a hormone that communicates with your other hormones, making it especially essential to help balance hormones. So, ensure you're getting enough vitamin D2 and D3 to ease and prevent hormonal fluctuations.
Estrogen imbalance: Vitamin D deficiency may lead to lowered estrogen levels, which can cause depression, hot flashes, mood swings and more. Impaired immune system: Vitamin D deficiency may lead to an impaired immune system, putting women at an increased risk of infection and illness.
in a small sample size of 30 subjects observed that vitamin D deficiency is associated with lower thyroid levels [25]. In our study, we found that the odds of developing hypothyroidism were significantly higher among patients with intermediate and deficient levels of vitamin D.
In its active form, vitamin D increases progesterone and estrogen levels, maintains a healthy uterine lining, and reduces the risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. In men, vitamin D plays a role in the healthy development of sperm and maintenance of semen quality.
A study found that higher serum vitamin D levels were associated with a reduced risk of weight gain in normal weight adults [10]. Another study reported that subjects who gained ≥5% weight had lower vitamin D levels than subjects who lost >5% weight [11].
Other causes include vitamin D deficiency and caffeine excess, which can lead to estrogen dominance.
Vitamin D and its' metabolites are a crucial part of the endocrine system that controls whole body calcium homeostasis. The goal of this hormonal control is to regulate serum calcium levels so that they are maintained within a very narrow range.
Vitamin D and testosterone: Not just for men
Scientists have also observed a direct correlation between vitamin D and testosterone in women. In a recent cross-sectional study of women, researchers observed a positive, significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and total testosterone levels.
Can vitamin D be harmful? Yes, getting too much vitamin D can be harmful. Very high levels of vitamin D in your blood (greater than 375 nmol/L or 150 ng/mL) can cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, confusion, pain, loss of appetite, dehydration, excessive urination and thirst, and kidney stones.
Some of the vitamins linked to better estrogen balance include vitamin D, the B complex, and vitamin C. Minerals such as calcium and boron may help protect against the effects of low estrogen, while some herbal supplements, including dong quai and black cohosh, are also known for their hormone-balancing effects.
Many studies show that overweight and obese people have low vitamin D levels when compared to their slimmer counterparts. And some studies link increased belly fat to vitamin D deficiency. In fact, according to a Medical News Today article, an increase in overall body fat and low vitamin D seem to go hand in hand.
Besides boosting mood and promoting calcium absorption, recent studies have shown that vitamin D may also aid in weight loss. For people with extra belly fat, a vitamin D supplement may be beneficial.
In general, the two main causes of vitamin D deficiency are: Not getting enough vitamin D in your diet and/or through sunlight. Your body isn't properly absorbing or using vitamin D.
In addition, estrogen increases the activity of the enzyme responsible for activating vitamin D (34) and so declining estrogen levels during the menopausal transition could lead to symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Vitamin D controls the production and activity of estrogen and progesterone to keep these hormones balanced . This vitamin also helps in regulating insulin and blood sugar level .
One of two mechanisms may explain the low levels of vitamin D in patients with hypothyroidism. First, the low levels of vitamin D may be due to poor absorption of vitamin D from the intestine. Second, the body may not activate vitamin D properly.
It is possible that low vitamin D may permit the under-performing immune system to facilitate progression of thyroid disease. Equally, it is also possible that people with thyroid diseases may have altered health or lifestyle that leads to a low vitamin D state.
No interactions were found between levothyroxine and Vitamin D3.